Voice of Florida Business in Education

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Current Survey Results

Florida Local Business Leaders Think K-12 Education is Not Adequately Funded * Survey Respondents Suggest Cost-Savings Measures & Strategies for School Districts

We are more than 1,100 local business and community leaders throughout the state who are deeply involved in improving public education as board members of local education foundations. We are a unique voice in Florida public education – bringing together a business perspective with an understanding of how to lead innovation in public education.

Our goal is to inform discussion and decision-making on key education issues by presenting both sides, as well as introducing new viewpoints. We are surveyed twice per year on key education issues to canvass our thoughts and opinions, which are shared with the public, state and local education officials, and policy makers.

Press Release: October 3, 2011

September 2011 - Survey Results Summary

CURRENT ISSUE: Maximizing School Funding

The purpose of Chalk Talk is to provide more in-depth perspectives from two local education foundation leaders on the hot-button education issue in the current survey. Each viewpoint is authored by a thought-leader as his/her point of view as a volunteer business leader who is investing their time and resources to advance K-12 education in Florida. Their responses are limited to 600 words and are not edited.

State Funding of K-12:
Jim Waters

Jim Waters is a native Floridian, he holds a BS degree from Florida State University College of Business where he majored in Accounting. Jim has led the Information Technology efforts at Tropicana Products, Dole Fresh Fruit, SafeCard Services and Universal Orlando Resort. Jim left Universal to devote more time to giving back to the community. He currently serves as a member of The Voice of Florida Business in Education, the Board of Directors for The Foundation for Orange County Public Schools as well as Quest, Inc.

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State Funding of K-12:
Craig Sher

Craig Sher is President/CEO of The Sembler Company of St. Petersburg, Florida. The Sembler Company is one of the country's most recognized shopping center development and management firms, responsible for over 80 major shopping center projects and over 120 freestanding retail stores since its inception. The Sembler Company is an imaginative and innovative leader in the shopping center industry and Sembler-built centers are known for their creative design and environmental integrity. Prior to joining The Sembler Company in 1984, Sher was Vice President of Finance of the Office Building Division of the Rutenberg Corporation of Clearwater, Florida and began his career with Arthur Andersen & Co. in Chicago, Illinois. He is the current Board Chair for the Pinellas Education Foundation.

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September 2011 Presentation

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